Archbishops encourage US bishops to act on post-election tension

'It's the hope of the task force, of people of goodwill, that the demonstrations, don't turn violent.'

Earlier this year, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, requested a day to observe a day of prayer for peace.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to the Catholic Herald, the Archbishop also asked the bishops to find ways to help communities in need and police officers affected by protests, violence, shootings, killings, riots and other tensions.

He appointed Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta to spearhead the task force meant to explore the ways bishops can promote peace and healing around the country.

Archbishop Gregory urged bishops on November 14, at the USCCB's autumn general assembly, that communities were continually disrupted by violent unrest, rioting, police shootings and more.

The Church has refrained from getting too involved but now is the time to spread healing.

There have been recent public reactions to tensions related to the election results but Archbishop Gregory explained, "It's the hope of the task force, of people of goodwill, that the demonstrations, don't turn violent."

He continued, explaining American society has been expressing its opinions on social matters through protests, sit-ins and other forms of expression.

It's important for bishops to pray and the Archbishop said : "What we pray for is that those expressions of frustrations don't provide another vehicle for violence."

When Archbishop Kurtz originally mentioned the Catholic Church needed to "walk with and help these suffering communities" affected by shootings, riots and protests, tensions were extremely high.

"I have stressed the need to look toward additional ways of nurturing an open, honest and civil dialogue on issues of race, relations, restorative justice, mental health, economic opportunity, and addressing the question of pervasive gun violence," Archbishop Kurtz stated in July.

It is his hope the task force will nurture peace in the suffering communities and build bridges of dialogue and mutual aid among local communities as well.

According to CNA, on Monday, the archbishop told US bishops: "United with Pope Francis, we are confident and we are hopeful, as we hear once again the echo of the words of Jesus: what you did for one of my least, you did for me.

"...Whether it is protecting the child in the womb and her mother or a family seeking a better life as they migrate from another country, it is our task to think not of our own interests but of the common good.

"We embrace that task with enthusiasm and enter respectful dialogue with President Donald Trump and with both houses of Congress.

"...There's been an unprecedented lack of civility and even rancor in the national elections just completed. Now we are required to move forward with respect for those in public office.

"We seek the common good based on truth and charity, without imposing, but strongly proposing, as we have done for 99 years...Jesus spoke and acted in very concrete ways. Empowered by His grace, so do we."

Archbishop Kurtz recalled an encounter with an 8-year-old refugee from the Ukraine who had Down Syndrome.

The boy jumped into the Archbishop'ss arms and bore a huge smile, which Archbishop Kurtz said was "a language that my heart understood: 'I love you.'"

The lesson, he explained, was obvious. "We bishops and all who serve the Lord need also to open our hearts to the joy that others will give to us. Joy and love are not only to be given but also to be received."

He asked the boy's family what their dreams were and they admitted they just want to work and pray to God for help.

"Our nation is on thin ice when refugees are spoken of in the abstract," Archbishop Kurtz explained. "After I met the unaccompanied youth seeking reunion with their families, the issue became very clear.

"Surely the situations are complex but the voiceless remain anonymous unless there is a face to the voice."

He encouraged bishops to seek out the "flashes of inspiration and encouragement that come to us from God...Just as a family seeks to serve each other as a prerequisite for authentic service beyond, so we do too.

"If not, our pastoral hearts will be shallow and short lived with others...Hope in the Lord. This is not a pie-in-the-sky hope but a hope grounded in the reality of God's grace in the midst of challenges."

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